The adidas Harden Vol 8 “Dragon Boat Festival” Is Exclusive To China

You'll have to take a trip overseas to secure these.

Matt Varga March 12, 2024

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The popularity of James Harden in China has been well-reported on, and in recent years, it’s very much become a two way street. His international visit this past offseason launched stories like the sell-out launch of his own wine brand. Some 8 months later we’re getting word that he’s returning the favor via @tanztz on Instagram. Harden is evidently set to drop a China-exclusive colorway of his adidas Harden Vol 8 with the “Dragon Boat Festival” edition.

Departing greatly from the two-tone formula that his signature has relied on so far, the “Dragon Boat Festival” colorway is a pretty comprehensive switch up in every category. The combination of white, gold and red is a nod to the shades typically synonymous with the country’s traditional colors, and are deployed in creative fashion. White dominates the textile upper, gold dons structural caging and circular detailing on the sole, and red drops on rear contextual Three Stripes branding.

That vibrant red also dresses the pull tabs, one of a few spots where a material refresh is at work. Typically made of nylon on mainline Harden Vol 8 drops so far, here they’re woven and rope-like. The medial EVA cages are also radically different, with contrasting directional patterns of black & grey painting what’s been a monochromatic feature in the past. Finally, hanging from those aforementioned pull tabs, a tassel threaded through a pearlescent bead anchors a calligraphed coin to the tongue.

Were it not evidently clear already, the adidas Harden Vol 8 “Dragon Boat Festival” is one of the most complex and striking colorways for the sneakers we’ve seen so far. As we’ve just learned of this pair’s existence, release details are scant, but a 2024 China exclusive drop seems the most likely outcome. Just ahead you’ll find a full gallery of the images we have as of writing.

While you wait, take a look at official looks for the adidas Bob Marley SL 72.

: adidas Harden Vol. 8 “Dragon Boat Festival” tanztz

: adidas Harden Vol. 8 “Dragon Boat Festival” tanztz

: adidas Harden Vol. 8 “Dragon Boat Festival” tanztz

: adidas Harden Vol. 8 “Dragon Boat Festival” tanztz

: adidas Harden Vol. 8 “Dragon Boat Festival” tanztz

: adidas Harden Vol. 8 “Dragon Boat Festival” tanztz

: adidas Harden Vol. 8 “Dragon Boat Festival” tanztz

: adidas Harden Vol. 8 “Dragon Boat Festival” tanztz

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Written by

Matt Varga, Junior Editor

Matt Varga is an Editor at SneakerNews. Initially earning a degree in Video Arts and Technology, he got his start in video editing and writing in the music world — primarily on hip-hop and electronic. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switching over to footwear. An avid collector, his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to either the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Laney,” his first ever pick-ups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, attending concerts and when weather permits, on the handball court.